Oil-storage-tank breather



July 24, 1928.

G. H. BowLus OIL STORAGE TANK BREATHER m/ L /wv Hfomua fa Filed OCt. 11, 1926 6 Patented July 24, 1928.

UNITED STA TES PATENT "OFFICE.

GLENN H. ZBOWLUS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

OIL-STORAGE-TANK BREATHEB.

Application filed October 11, 1926. Serial No. 140,771.

comprising not only a screen, favorably disposed and adequate for fire protection, but means for prolonging the life and assuring the eflicient action of said screen; and preferred embodiments of my invention may comprise not only a main casting, which may be adjustably secured above an attachment member permanently positioned upon an oil storage tank, or the like, but a hood member, hereinafter referred to as a nose casting, carrying a replaceable screen and ivotally connected with said main casting m such manner as to permit a tilting of said nose casting into an inoperative position which is favorable to a conditionin or replacement of said screen,-and which also permits access to interior parts whereby the collection of moisture upon said screen may be substantially obviated.

It is an objectof my invention to provide an organization of the general character described comprising a door in the form of a dependent flap, this door being preferably positioned inwardly of the mentioned screen and associated with a trough or troughs, disposed therebelow, adapted to contain a liquid,as for a sealing or damping effect; and preferred embodiments of my invention may comprise, in addition to the mentioned main casting and nose casting (whether or not the latter carries a downwardly disposed or inclined screen, as mentioned) not only means for supporting a flap door in such a position as to permit it to swing, in

response to movements of air or gas, 1n a vertical plane, but also means whereby said main casting may be manually or automatically oriented and precisely leveled.

It is an object of my invention to provide an oil tank breather with a flap door swinga pocket for such condensate provided with a plugged opening.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a breather of the general character referred to, and comprising a screen, with means tending to prevent condensation of water from outwardly moving vapors, and

with means whereby any condensate which is notwithstanding formed, may be prevented from contacting with said screen; and preferred embodiments of my invent1on, Involving a use of a flap door pivoted upon a horizontal axis, comprise a main casting having a substantially circular neck and a horizontally flattened head,said neck being expanded both in an upward direction and a downward direction and optionally provided with means permitting a leveling and a free rotation of said main casting.

Other objects of my invention, including certain features of stream-lining, attachment, insulation, and arrangement and connection of parts- (and optionally including means for the withdrawal and conservation of a condensate) may be best appreciated from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of my invention, taken in connection with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a breather illustrating my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken at right angles to Fig. 1, and in somewhat such a plane as is indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, parts being broken away, optional features of modification being shown.

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view, on a smaller scale, taken from the general direction indicated by the arrow 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail and diagrammatic view suggesting optional auxiliary features here inafter mentioned, the lower portion of this figure showing, on a reduced scale, a tank lower than the drain connection 46.

Referring to the details of that specific embodiment of my invention chosen for purposes of illustration, a main casting 11 is shown as comprising a neck portion 12, which may be circular in horizontal section, and ahorizontally flattened head portion 13, said neck being secured to an attachment member 14, upon a tank roof 15, and said head being provided with means (as a substantially horizontal pivot pin 16) for the attachment of a hood or nose casting 17, carrying a screen 18in such manner as to permit said hood and screen to be pivotally moved, in a vertical plane, and for purposes of inspection, conditioning, replacement or repair of parts, to a position such as that indicated in dotted lines in Fi 1.

The main casting 11, or the unit composing the same, may be smallest in cross sectional area in the region of the neck 12, expanding therefrom both in an upwardly direction and in a downwardly direction,in order to facilitate movement of air and volatile hydrocarbons either in an inward or an outward direction therethrough. The screen 18, when provided, is intended to be of so fine a mesh as to obviate danger of the propagation of a flame therethrough, in case a combustible mixture is externally ignited by lightning or other means. Both the position and the inclination of the screen 18 (shown as retained by a frame 19 and screw 20) are intended to be unfavorable to the collection of moisture thereon,the sheltered position of said screen tending to prevent rain from falling upon the same, and the inclination thereof being favorable to a dripping of any moisture which may condense upon said screen (in consequence of, for example, movement therethrough of moisture-laden air or gas) from a downwardly inclined ledge 21 (shown as provided with a threaded bore 22, for engagement by a retaining screw 23, provided with a collar 24 and a milled head 25,-this being merely one form of device for holding the hood '17, or its equivalent, normally in its lower or closed position) However, in order almost entirely to obviate condensation of moisture, carried from a tank, upon the screen 18, or its equivalent, I consider it advantageous not only to provide the casting 11 with insulation, somewhat as suggested at 26 (the hood or nose casting 17 being optionally provided with a similar insulating cover 26) to prevent cooling of the breather unit by a wind sweeping past the same, but also to provide, within units of the general character described, means tending to check or control movements of air or gas therethrough and to protect the screen 18, or its equivalent, from contact with moisture carried by or condensed from inwardly or outwardly moving currents of air or vapor.

For the purpose last referred to, although the casting 11 may be left rough throughout most or all of its interior, I prefer to adapt a substantially flat upwardly and outwardly inclined surface 27 thereof not only to cooperate with a correspondingly inclined flat surface 28 upon the hood or nose casting 17, or its equivalent, but to carry a jamo or door frame organization comprising a substantially rectangular member 29, inside of nose casting but attached to main casting. This may have vertical cheek members 30,

30 integral therewith or secured thereto, a door in the form of a flap 31 (shown as comprising a main plate 32 rigidly connected with flanges 33, 33', having but a very limited clearance relatively to the cheek plates 30, 30) being pivotally secured in the door opening provided by the rectangular member 29; and, in order to provlde means tending to damp the swinging of the door or flap 31 in a vertical plane, and to provide for a separate withdrawal of any water that may condense upon said door or flap, although permitting said door or flap freely to swing (to permit a rapid inflow or outflow of gas and/or air) between positions such as are indicated at 31 and 31", pivoting the door in some suitable manner (as by positioning a rebent upper edge 34 of the plate 32 within an upper trough 35, shown as integral with the rectangular member 29) I may dispose between the lower corners 36, 36 of the cheek plates 30, 30, or the like, a main mercury trough 37, of special eonfiguration,this mercury trough being shown as comprising an inner lip 38 and an outer lip 39, said outer lip rising above said inner lip and being optionally downwardly bent somewhat as shown at 40, Fig. 1, for reinforcing and other effects such as preventing the gas or air from passing in or out without moving the flap 31.

The trough 37, being provided with an angular central depression 41, may be adapted to receive and to retain (assuming the same to be properly leveled) a considerable quantity of mercury 42, for a partial sealing and damping effect; but the curvature of the are through which the flap 31, or its equivalent, is forced to swing and the level of the lower edge of said flap relatively to said trough, are intended to be such as substantially to obviate danger of a splashing of mercury from said trough.

The orientation of my breather units and the shape thereof are intended to be such as not to induce a free circulation of air therethrough; and it will be obvious that very slight clearances (as, clearances amounting to of an inch, more or less) may be provided between the ends of the plate 32 (and the flanges 33, 33, provided thereon) and the cheek plates 30, 30. Thus the said plate, damped in the manner described, need not commonly swing clear of the mercury in the trough 37,even though it be light and be free to swing to extreme positions, as indicated, in consequence of strong inward or outward movements of air and gas. So long as the plate 32 remains in contact with the mercury in said trough and even though it swings momentarily free therefrom, it is intended to serve an important effect in protecting the screen 18,m carrying of the outer lip 39 of said troug to a higher level than the inner lip 38 thereof Hill being intended to assure an inward (rather than an outward) flow of any water condcnsing upon the described parts. In order to permit an outward. withdrawal of condensed moisture (in preference to permitting the same to flow directly back into a storage tank), I may so form the casting 11, or its equivalent, as to provide a condensate receptacle or compartment 43, extending between the mentioned lower corners 36, 36 of the cheek plates 30, and between upwardly inclined flanges 44 and 45, shown as integral with the main casting 11,-drawoff opening 46 being shown as closed by a threaded plug 47. It will be noted that the lip 38 of the trough 37 does not contact with the flange 44, but is spaced therefrom suf-' ficiently to permit an overflow of condensed water into the compartment 43, or its equivalent; and, if desired, I may, establishing a parallelism between the troughs and 37, insert mercury in both of said troughs,--

I any mercury accidentally displaced from the upper trough being presumably caught in the lower or main trough, and any mercury displaced from the latter being caught in the condensate compartment 43, or its equivalent.

Although the described unit may be formed from any desired material or materials, I suggest the use of ordinary iron in the formation of the main casting 11, the use of aluminum in the castin of the hood or nose 17, the use of brass for screen 18 and frame 19, and the use of sheet aluminum in the formation of the described interior parts, shown as secured by screws S,- the relatively fixed interior parts being united in any suitable way, as by electric welding; and, in order to provide both for an optional orientation of my units with reference to the direction of the prevailing winds (to which they may advantageously be set transversely) and for a precise leveling of the same, I show the attachment member 14 and the main casting 11 as connected by means permitting relative adjustment of said main casting with reference to a vertical axis, central of the neck 12, and permitting also a ball-and-socket or universal movement of said main casting relatively to said attachment member.

For the purposes last referred to, I provide arcuate slots 48 in a flange 49, shown in Fig. 1 as integral with the casting 11, said slots being adapted to receive threaded elements such as stud bolts 50, projecting upwardly from a substantially parallel flange 51, integral to the mentioned attachment member. In the form referred to, the flange 51 is secured by rivets 52 to an apertured member 53, which is provided with an upward extension having at 54 a ball-ground surface, adapted to cooperate with a similar but concave surface provided upon the cast- Y54, and then held ing 11,-the relationship between the mentioned parts being such that the casting 11 may be rotated upon a vertical axis and tllted, in any desired direction, with reference-to the axis of the ballround surface in its ad usted position by a suitable tightening'of nuts 55, or the like; and the passage 56, providedby said extension, is shown as outwardly expanded and rounded or stream-lined in a manner favorable to a rapid movement of vapors and gases therethrough.

The general mode of use and operation of my novel breather being fully indicated above, Isuggest in Fig. 2 the interposition of ball bearings B B and B B relative rotation of a head 11 11, under the influence of a vane 11", so positioned as to hold a unit side-on in any high windthe assumed direction of the wind being indicated by arrow A and a flap door 31 being optionally provided with a weight 31 and I comment upon the fact that although it may be referred to as commonly closed, and as adapted to exclude wind, the flap 31 is such as to permit a comparatively sudden and wide opening,- the described shapes being, as mentioned, conducive to a maximum flow either in an inward or an outward direction to effect a prompt equalization of pressure. Although the described shapes and screen organization may be used independently of the described flap (the latter being moreover suitable for use either with or without an internal or an external screen) I regard the best effects as obtainable by the use of the described flap, or its equivalent, and the described troughs and condensatlon compartment, in such manner as to protect from clogging or corro'ding the fire-excluding screen. The pivotin of the described hood or .nose casting in t e general manner described is advantageous not only as providing access to interior parts (as for purposes of adjustment, replacement or repair) but facilitating an'inspection and cleaning or replacement of the screen 18, or its equivalent; and the insulation of some or all of the mentioned exposed parts is intended primarily to prevent the described unit from functioning as a condenser,-it being obvious that whenever an enhanced automatic distillation and condensation effect is desired, for any reason whatever, the described insulation may be omitted and the compartment 43, or its equivalent, may be enlarged and con- 'nected with an outlet-such as, for example, a pipe 46 (Fig. 4) suitable to be substituted for plug 46 and communicating with a receptacle not similarly exposed,as with an underground tank T.

The provision of means such as recurved or other projections 47 beneath the upper trough 35 may render the removal of flap upon a neck to permit- 31' contingent upon its being swung substantially to position 31", then permitting its removal without necessitating the removal of any pivot pins (liable to corrode and stick) and, although I have suggested the use of mercury as a sealing liquid, it should be understood that'l may substitute another liquid (as a suitable heavy oil) therefor-the condensate compartment 43 then serving to prevent contamination of the tank contents by said heavy oil.

Although I have herein described but a single complete embodiment of my invention, it should be understood not only that various features thereof might be independently used, but also that numerous modifications might be made by those skilled in the art to which this case relates, without involving the slightest departure from the spirit and scope of my invention, as the same is indicated above and in the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An oil storage tank breather compris ing a unit provided with a fire excluding screen and with means obviating the condensation of moisture thereon, said last mentioned means comprising a flap pivoted for movement in a vertical plane.

2. An oil storage tank breather comprising: a unit provided with a fire excluding screen and with means obviating the condensation of moisture thereon,said last mentioned means comprising a flap pivoted for movement in a vertical plane, and provided with damping means.

3. An oil storage tank breather comprising: a unit provided with a fire excluding screen and with means obviating the condensation of moistulre thereon,--said last mentioned means comprising a flap pivoted for movement in a vertical plane, and means causing an inward flow of condensed moisture.

4;. A tank breather comprising: a main casting member; an attachment member adapted to be permanently secured to a tank; and connecting means, between said casting and said attachment member, which permit initial rotative adjustment of said casting upon a vertical axis, said connecting means comprising a slotted flange on one of such members, and threaded means projecting from the other of said members.

5. A tank breather comprising: a main casting member; an attachment member adapted to be permanently secured to a tank; and connect-ing means, between said members, which permit precise leveling of said casting member relatively to said attaching member, said connecting means comprising a ball-ground joint between said members.

6. A tank breather comprising: a main casting member; and an attachment member adapted to be permanently secured to a tank,-said attachment member comprisin a passa e, which is inwardly expanded an rounded to promote flow, and being provided with a flange carrying threaded members.

7. A tank breather comprising: a main castin member; and an attachment member a apted to be permanently secured to a tank,said attachment member comprising a passage which is inwardly expanded and rounded to promote flow, and bein provided with a flange carryin threaded members and with a ball-groun d surface contacting with a corresponding surface upon said main casting member.

8. An organization of the general character described comprising: a head externally provided with a fiat inclined surface, surrounding an opening; and a flap-supporting jamb or frame organization engaging said surface.

9. A tank breather comprising: a head;-

a door frame organization secured thereto, and a flap door pivotal-1y movable relatively to a member comprised in said frame, in which said frame organization comprises at least one trough for a sealing liquid in which said flap is movable.

10. A tank breather substantially as defined in claim 9 in which said frame organization comprises a liquid-containing trough in which said flap is movable, a receptacle for condensate being provided therebelow.

11. A tank breather provided with a trough for a sealing liquid and with a trough for the reception of a condensate, said last mentioned trough being disposed below said first mentioned trough.

12. A tank breather provided with a trough for'a sealing liquid and with a. trough for the reception of a condensate, said last mentioned trough being disposed below said first mentioned trough and provided with means for predetermining the direction of outflow therefrom.

13. An oil tank breather, comprising: an attachment member; a hood member rotatable thereon in a horizontal plane; a nose member attached to said hood member, said nose member having a substantially rectangular opening therethrough; a light flap swingingly supported at its upper edge and substantially closing said opening when in a vertical position, said flap being free to swing in either direction, and a trough for containing asealing liquid in which the lower edge of said fiap is immersed when said flap is in a vertical position.

14. An oil tank breather, substantially as and for the purpose set forth in claim 13, including, aymetallic screen across said openin said screen being of such fine mesh as to lm impervious to the propagation of flame therethrough.

15. An oil tank breather, substantially as and for the purpose set forth in claim 13, in which the nose member is swingingly attached to said hood member.

16. An oil tank breather substantially as and for the purpose set forth in claim 13,

in which a second trough is disposed below said sealing trough for oolleotion of condensate.

17. An oil tank breather substantially as and for the purpose set forth in claim 13, provided with means for automatically positioning the hood member with reference to the direction of any Wind sweeping past the same.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 1st day of October, 1926.

GLENN H. BOWLUS. 

